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A FAMILY centre which supports more than 130 children and parents each week has been thrown a lifeline until March.

For the last seven years Bacup Family Centre, in Hawthorn Road, has been living a hand-to-mouth existence, not knowing each year if the money will run out, forcing it to close its doors.

This year the centre, which provides a valuable service to people from all over the Valley, also faced a crisis over cash.

But Green Vale Homes, which manages the borough’s former council houses, stepped in with funding and an anonymous benefactor pledged the £1,000 shortfall, securing the service's future until at least March.

Manager Leila Allen said: ‘We have also had a lot of personal donations from people and individuals pledging money each month for which we are very grateful.

‘We are holding ongoing talks with our partners. Rossendale Council has always been very supportive of the centre and so too has Green Vale.

‘We are also in talks with Lancashire County Council to keep the project going beyond March.’

The centre was originally run by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd nuns, who set it up 40 years ago.

Despite all the funding hiccups, the staff at Bacup Family Centre have remained constant and their work would not be possible without the huge numbers of volunteers who complement the work done by paid officers.

Leila said: ‘Everyone is optimistic. We are trying to find a solution, because everyone agrees what we do here is valuable. People feel able to talk to us; we are not judgemental.’

One of the centre’s latest projects, involving young people aged from four to 11, is called Good Stuff. It is encouraging the children to look at what is good about Bacup, drawing the positive out of the town’s often poor public perception, particularly after the murder of Sophie Lancaster.

Leila said: ‘It is about families, changing how we feel about ourselves and making us think more about communities and other people. It is about teaching tolerance.’

The project will conclude on 17 December when an open air carol evening will be arranged by the young people attending the sessions.

Anyone who can help the centre in any way is asked to call Leila on 873856.